Research Regarding the Fordham Family of City Island in the Town of Pelham

Genealogists believe that most American families of the name "Fordham" descend from Rev. Robert Fordham who came to America before 1641 and, by 1644, settled in Hempstead, Long Island. The first of his descendants known to have settled in the Town of Pelham was Orrin Frederick Fordham who settled on City Island during the 1830s. (Some sources say he settled there in 1830; others say 1837.)Orrin Frederick Fordham was a son of Rufus Fordham (1782 - 1868) and Rebecca Shipman (1786 - 1823). He was born July 4, 1808 and died on City Island on about August 25, 1845 at the age of 37. He married Levina Elizabeth Billar (Jan. 16, 1815 - May 29, 1887) who, after his death, remarried to Nathan Clark Bell (1808 - 1890). (Levina's name is often misspelled as Levinia.)Orrin F. Fordham became a pioneer in the field of oyster planting. According to tradition, he invented the concept, although it seems clear that the practice of oyster planting arose in several regions at about the same time and may well have been independently invented by a host of oystermen throughout the region. In any event, Fordham seems to have pioneered the technique in the region around City Island and Eastchester Bay on Long Island Sound. See Ingersoll, Ernest, The Oyster-Industry, pp. 88-89 (Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office, 1881) (Published by Department of the Interior, Tenth Census of the United States, Francis A. Walker, Superintendent - The History and Present Condition of the Fishery Industries Prepared Under the Direction of Professor S. F. Baird by G. Brown Goode) (stating "In these waters are the oldest artificial beds in the East river, for the regular planting of oysters (inaugurated, according to tradition, by Mr. Orrin Fordham) was begun here half a century ago.").Orrin Fordham was a well-respected citizen of the Town of Pelham. He served as one of the first trustees of School District No. 2 which served City Island. One of his younger sisters, Rachel, became the first public school teacher in City Island. She married Frederick Gladding. I have written before about Rachel S. Fordham who taught children in her own home until the Town of Pelham built a tiny one-room schoolhouse on City Island in about 1838 or 1839 where she continued her teaching duties. See Mon., Apr. 07, 2014: History of A Few of the Earliest Public Schools in the Town of Pelham.

Undated Photograph of the One-Room Schoolhouse Built

in About 1838 or 1839 in City Island on Land Now Thought

To Be the Current Playground of Public School 175 Located

at 200 City Island Avenue, City Island, The Bronx, NY, 10464.

Orrin Frederick Fordham Likely Was Involved in the Decision

to Build this School as a School Board Trustee. His Sister,

Rachel, Taught Here. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Orrin Fordham reportedly "was known as a just and conscientious man in all his affairs, and was highly respected by all who knew him." He and his wife, Levina, were active and respected members of the local Methodist Episcopal Church.Orrin and Levina Fordham had five children who likewise became respected citizens of the Town of Pelham. They were:1. Mary Rebecca Fordham, born in 1843. She married Alexander Rolfe and had a son who lived on City Island, Thadeus C. Rolfe. She died October 11, 1862, aged 39.2. Sarah E. Fordham. She married George F. Carew on February 21, 1857. The couple had eight children.3. Orrin Frederick Fordham, born in 1841 and died November 27, 1863, aged 22.4. John Oscar Fordham, born on City Island on April 2, 1844. He married Angeline A. Jennings, born March 20, 1848. John O. Fordham became a notable City Island resident. (See below.)5. William Rufus Fordham, who married Mary L. Johnson and lived thereafter on City Island. He also became a notable City Island resident. (See below.)John Oscar Fordham followed in his father's footsteps and became a well-respected Hell Gate Pilot, oysterman, and shipyard pioneer. According to one authority:"John O. Fordham, the fourth child and second son of Orrin Frederick Fordham, was born at City Island, April 2, 1844. His early education was received at the public schools, and at the early age of thirteen he entered upon the practical duties of life, and in his fourteenth year began to learn the trade of stone mason with his brother-in-law, Alexander Rolfe, and served faithfully an apprenticeship of five years. He did not, however, pursue his trade, having become engaged in navigation on the Long Island Sound, and served a number of years under the tuition of Captain Benjamin F. Horton; after the death of Captain Horton, Mr. Fordham concluded his apprenticeship with Captain Thomas J. Jennings, a noted navigator of Long Island sound. Mr. Fordham, after received [sic] a license as pilot, pursued his calling for a number of years on the waters of the East river and Long Island sound. He next became engaged in oyster planting at City Island, and while engaged in this line of pursuit contributed much by his skill and enterprise to the successful development of City Island. He was instrumental in the establishment of two of the first shipyards, namely, Hillman & Hubbee, now the John P. Hawkins, and the Archibald Robertson ship building establishments. He was also active in the organization and was one of the charter members of City Island Lodge, No. 712, Free and Accepted Masons, and was the first master of the lodge. When this portion of Westchester county was annexed to the city of New York, he was one of the trustees of school district No. 2. John O. Fordham married, July 5, 1866, Angeline A Jennings, born March 20, 1848, daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann (Booth) Jennings. The latter was a native of Long Island and the former a native of New York City." (See below.) John Oscar Fordham and Angeline A. Jennings Fordham had ten children. The couple also were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at City Island where John was Superintendent of the Sunday School for more than sixteen years and remained an active member of the church throughout his life. John Oscar Fordham's brother, William Rufus Fordham, also lived on City Island where he was born on October 24, 1845. As a youngster he attended public school on City Island but, at the age of thirteen "took up the practical duties of life" as had his brother John Oscar Fordham. William Rufus joined the family's oyster planting business which remained his career and livelihood "throughout the active years of his life." He married Mary Louise Johnson in New York City on January 7, 1869. The couple had nine children whom they raised on City Island as well. William Rufus Fordham was an active member of the City Island Lodge (later the Pelham Lodge) of Free and Accepted Masons, attaining a high degree of the order. He died at City Island on June 6, 1903. One of the sons of William Rufus Fordham and Mary Louise Johnson Fordham was J. Alred Fordham. He also became a notable City Island resident in the Town of Pelham. According to one source: "J. Alfred Fordham acquired his elementary training in the schools of City Island, at the age of sixteen entered the Pennington Seminary at Pennington, New Jersey, and upon his return home learned the trade of mason, which line of work he pursued for some time and with his father was engaged in the oyster planting business. In March 1894, Mr. Fordham was elected town clerk of City Island [sic; Town Clerk of Pelham] and served in that position for a period of over fifteen months, when City Island became annexed to the borough of the Bronx. In 1898 Mr. Fordham was appointed in the capacity of letter carrier at City Island and has held that position to the present time. J. Alfred Fordham married, December 28, 1891, Adeline E. Martin, born October 28, 1872, daughter of Thomas and Annie E. (Cochran) Martin and of his marriage have been born three children: 1. Mary R., born October 31, 1892. 2. William Alred, born February 15, 1895. 3. Benjamin Howard, born January 15, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Fordham are consistent members of the Methodist church at City Island." (See below.)In short, throughout the time that City Island remained part of the Town of Pelham, members of the Fordham family were notable and respected citizens of the town. Their lives were interwoven with the rich history of 19th century Pelham, particularly its rich maritime history.

Assisted by A.B. Prindle & Others," Plate 35. A Portion of the Fordham

Estate May Be Seen on the Right in the Detail Along With

Properties Owned by Members of the Billar, Rolfe, and Other

Families Who Intermarried with Members of the Fordham Family.

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

* * * * *"THE FAMILY OF FORDHAM.All the families of the name of Fordham in this country are descended from Rev. Robert Fordham, who came to America before 1641. Letchford in his book, 'Plaine Dealing' or 'News From New England,' published in 1642, says he was then living in Sudbury, Massachusetts. In 1644 he accompanied Mr. Denton to Hempstead, Long Island, and he is the first person named in Governor Kieft's patent for that town. In 1648 he came to Southampton, Long Island, and was the second minister of the church in that place, and labored in the ministry until his death in September, 1674. The traditions concerning him show that he was of an amiable disposition, and gave general satisfaction in the discharge of his pastoral duties. He must have been a man of some means, for his estate was inventoried at £1,164. He possessed what was probably the largest library on Long Island at that time, his books being valued at £53, a large sum for those days. One of his sons, Rev. Jonah Fordham, was a graduate from Harvard, 1658, and was pastor of the church in Hempstead from 1660 to 1680. In 1691 he became minister at Brookhaven, and remained several years. He returned to Southampton and died there, July 17, 1696, aged sixty-three. Rev. Robert Fordham left wife Elizabeth, and children: Captain Joseph, Robert, Rev. Jonah, John, Mary, wife of Edward Howell; and Hannah, wife of Samuel Clark.Captain Joseph Fordham died September 7, 1688. He had children: Major Joseph, born July 30, 1669; Elizabeth, Nathan, Peletish, Hanna and Alithea.Major Joseph Fordham married Mary Maltby, December 5, 1689. She died March 10, 1719. Their children were: Mary, Joseph, born September 19, 1693; Phebe, Alexander, born October 3, 1700; John, born October 27, 1703, and Hannah, born July 19, 1707. The descendants of these children are very numerous, and the name is still found in Southampton, where their ancestor, Rev. Robert Fordham, labored so many years.John Fordham, son of Major Joseph Fordham, with many other Southampton families, removed to New Jersey. He had a son John, and perhaps others, who seem to have removed at a later date to Scranton, Pennsylvania, and was probably the father of Rufus Fordham. The probability of this appears from the fact that all the other branches of the Fordham family have been traced to other localities. The father of Rufus Fordham (probably John Fordham) married Rachel Starkey. Their only son, Rufus Fordham, was born 1782, died July 12, 1868, aged eighty-six. It has been thought by some that the father of Rufus Fordham, owing to some disagreement with his father-in-law, enlisted as a soldier in the Revolution, and was one of the 'unknown dead.' His widow married (second) William Parker, and of this marriage had other children.Rufus Fordham at an early age went to Saybrook, Connecticut, and learned the trade of ship carpenter, in which he became skillful, doing the fine work of finishing off the cabins of vessels built at that place. He was also largely engaged in the shad fishing, and was the owner of the fishery known as the 'Parsonage Pier.' He was also the owner of a well conducted and profitable farm. He was offered a pension by the United States government for services at the old Saybrook Fort, but declined to receive it.Rufus Fordham married (first) Rebecca Shipman. Mr. Fordham married (second) Hepsibah Beckwith, who died August 11, 1831. The third wife of Rufus Fordham was Mehitable Lindergreen. They were married in Saybrook, November 3, 1839. There were no children by this marriage.The children of Rufus Fordham and Rebecca Shipman were:1. Orrin Frederick, of City Island. 2. Emeline, married Harry Conklin, and had children: Augustus H., John A., Leander and Julius M.3. Lydia, born 1810, died 1823.4. Rufus, married Sarah Ann Pratt, July 9, 1838. She died January 12, 1884, aged sixty-eight. He was born December 26, 1812, died November 8, 1865, aged seventy-two. Their children were: Edward, born April 22, 1839, died December 2, 1849. Theodore P., born February 3, 1844, married Matte B. Mack, June 9, 1866, and had children: Ida E., wife of Stephen W. Stearns, and have children: Charles F., Winchester and Emma J. Stearns; and Flora L., wife of Charles Storrs Hall, who have children; Randolph F. and Theodore P. Hall. Carried B. George, born January 23, 1852, died December 28, 1852. Horace, born February 16, 1858, died April 26, 1861.5. Patience, born 1815, died September 21, 1898, aged eighty-three.6. Rebecca, married Charles S. Burr, and had children: Frederick, and Jane R. wife of A. A. Giesler.7. John S., born 1817, died October 31, 1869, aged fifty-two. He married Phebe Hulse, no children.8. Rachel S., born 1822, died November 7, 1892, aged seventy-two. She was the first public school teacher in City Island. She married Frederick Gladding.9. Thomas P., born 1820, died June 27, 1901, aged eighty-one.Rufus Fordham had by his marriage with Hepsibah Beckwith one son, Henry Fordham, born April 7, 1828, married, November 7, 1849, Ann E. Wells, born January 11, 1830. Their children were: 1. Emelina A., born May 26, 1852, married, September 2, 1874, A. Charles Bolton; children: Edna Fordham, born July 24, 1878; Erna Alberts, born February 16, 1882; Lillian Maud, born August 14, 1885; Walter Charles, born June 4, 1895. 2. H. Fletcher, born July 30, 1858, married, March 19, 1882, Annie Lewis Thomas; children: Edith May, born June 2, 1887; Daniel Henry, born June 22, 1895. 3. Frank W., born September 18, 1863, died September 25, 1865. 4. R. Bertram, born September 28, 1866, died February 23, 1906; married, October 21, 1891, Lillie V. Clark; one child, Erna Alberta, born January 13, 1895. 5. Annie Wells, born April 23, 1878, married, May 4, 1892, Frederick L. Terry; children: Frank Fordham, born March 31, 1893, deceased; Frederick Russell, born August 7, 1895; Hattie Annafred, born May 20, 1898. Henry Fordham, father of these children, died March 21, 1890.

Orrin Frederic Fordham was a thorough representative of this ancient and honorable family. He married Levina E. Billar, a native of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, born January 16, 1815, and came to City Island, New York, in 1837, and became one of the pioneers in the business of oyster planting. In this place he passed the remaining years of his life and passed away August 24, 1845. In 1839 he was a trustee of school district No. 2 in the town of Pelham, being one of the first trustees of the same. He was known as a just and conscientious man in all his affairs, and was highly respected by all who knew him, and both he and his wife were prominent and useful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His widow married Nathan C. Bell, and died May 29, 1887. The children of Orrin Frederick Fordham were:1. Mary Rebecca, wife of Alexander Rolfe. She died October 11, 1862, aged thirty-nine; has one son surviving, Thadeus C., of City Island.2. Sarah E., married, February 21, 1857, George F. Carew, who died September 5, 1894. Their children were: 1. George F., Jr., born April 21, 1858, married, January 28, 1885, Margaret Farrell, of Brooklyn, no issue. 2. Orrin F. born January 15. 1860, died January 12, 1885. 3. Levina M., born April 30, 1862. 4. Mary F., born July 31, 1864, married, September 24, 1884, John W. Wood, of Brooklyn; children: Edna L., Lena E., John W., Annabell E., George ., Elizabeth M., Orrin F., Emily F., Herbert F., Arthur W. and Harold W. 5. Catherine S., born April, 1868, died October 3, 1869. 6. Sarah E., born August 31, 1870, married, September 28, 1904, Frederick Yarwood, of Brooklyn, no issue. 7. Edna L., born December 25, 1879, deceased. 8. Clara A., born September 3, 1885.3. Orrin Frederick, died November 27 1863, aged twenty-two.4. John Oscar, the subject of this review.5. William R., married Mary L. Johnson, and resides at City Island.John O. Fordham, the fourth child and second son of Orrin Frederick Fordham, was born at City Island, April 2, 1844. His early education was received at the public schools, and at the early age of thirteen he entered upon the practical duties of life, and in his fourteenth year began to learn the trade of stone mason with his brother-in-law, Alexander Rolfe, and served faithfully an apprenticeship of five years. He did not, however, pursue his trade, having become engaged in navigation on the Long Island Sound, and served a number of years under the tuition of Captain Benjamin F. Horton; after the death of Captain Horton, Mr. Fordham concluded his apprenticeship with Captain Thomas J. Jennings, a noted navigator of Long Island sound. Mr. Fordham, after received [sic] a license as pilot, pursued his calling for a number of years on the waters of the East river and Long Island sound. He next became engaged in oyster planting at City Island, and while engaged in this line of pursuit contributed much by his skill and enterprise to the successful development of City Island. He was instrumental in the establishment of two of the first shipyards, namely, Hillman & Hubbee, now the John P. Hawkins, and the Archibald Robertson ship building establishments. He was also active in the organization and was one of the charter members of City Island Lodge, No. 712, Free and Accepted Masons, and was the first master of the lodge. When this portion of Westchester county was annexed to the city of New York, he was one of the trustees of school district No. 2.John O. Fordham married, July 5, 1866, Angeline A Jennings, born March 20, 1848, daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann (Booth) Jennings. The latter was a native of Long Island and the former a native of New York City. Of this marriage Mr. Fordham had born to him a family of ten children, as follows:1. Orrin Frederick, born August 28 1867. He married Norma Abbott, August 31, 1893, and has children: Orrin Frederick and Frances Fordham. Orrin Frederick Fordham published the City Island Drift for six years, with good ability and success.2. Ida Jennings, born July 28, 1870, died October 6, 1903. She married Frederick Lowndes, October 21, 1897, and had children: Jennie H., Arthur F. and Dorothy H. Lowndes.3. Annie Louisa, born July 12, 1872, married Irving Lowndes, October 28, 1891, and has children: Harry, Bertha D., Wilfred and Charlotte Lowndes.4. Jennie Olivette, born December 6, 1876, died September 3, 1879.5. William Johnson, born March 19, 1878, married Lena Milford, of Patchogue, Suffolk county, March 14, 1903. Of his union there is no issue. He served in the United States army, in the signal corps, faithfully for a period of three years in the Philippine Islands. He received a gunshot wound while in action.6. Jessie Edna, born September 17, 1880, married Louis F. Bowdish, December 29, 1902, and has two children: Arvine C. and Catherine L. Bowdish.7. Irving Elwood, born June 4, 1883.8. Catherine Elizabeth, ,born September 10, 1885.9. Albert Allen, born February 26, 1888.10. Frank Dexter, born April 17, 1891.Both Mr. and Mrs. Fordham are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church at City Island. Mr. Fordham has been for a period of over sixteen years superintendent of the Sunday school, and has at all times given his time for church and charitable work.William Rufus Fordham, father of J. Alred Fordham, was born at City Island, borough of the Bronx, October 24, 1845. He received his educational training in the schools at City Island. At the early age of thirteen he took up the practical duties of life, having become engaged in the oyster planting business, which line of pursuit he followed throughout the active years of his life. He was an active member of City Island Lodge (now Pelham Lodge), Free and Accepted Masons, and during his many years of membership attained to a high degree of the order.He was married in New York City, January 7, 1869, to Mary Louise Johnson, born January 8, 1850 ,daughter of Jacob and Sarah Jane (Miller) Johnson. Of this marriage they had born to them a family of nine children: 1. J. Alfred, born December 28, 1869, see forward. 2. Minnie Levina, born February 23, 1872, is a missionary of the Episcopal church and foreign mission of New York City, and is at the present time stationed at Ponce, Porto Rico where she has served for a period of over three years. 3. Sarah J., born April 3, 1874, is a graduated nurse; she married, January 17, 1906, George Spencer. 4. Willietta, born May 10, 1876. 5. Frances, born November 19, 1879, died June 8, 1880. 6. William Frederick, born January 12, 1882, died November 4, 1883. 7. John Oscar, born July 10, 1884. 8. Howard C., born February 15, 1887. 9. Clarence, born August 3, 1890. The father of these children died at City Island, June 6, 1903. His faithful wife and mother of these children, Mary Louise (Johnson) Fordham, survives her husband and resides in a pleasant cottage on the lands of the old homestead at City Island.J. Alfred Fordham acquired his elementary training in the schools of City Island, at the age of sixteen entered the Pennington Seminary at Pennington, New Jersey, and upon his return home learned the trade of mason, which line of work he pursued for some time and with his father was engaged in the oyster planting business. In March 1894, Mr. Fordham was elected town clerk of City Island [sic; Town Clerk of Pelham] and served in that position for a period of over fifteen months, when City Island became annexed to the borough of the Bronx. In 1898 Mr. Fordham was appointed in the capacity of letter carrier at City Island and has held that position to the present time.J. Alfred Fordham married, December 28, 1891, Adeline E. Martin, born October 28, 1872, daughter of Thomas and Annie E. (Cochran) Martin and of his marriage have been born three children: 1. Mary R., born October 31, 1892. 2. William Alred, born February 15, 1895. 3. Benjamin Howard, born January 15, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Fordham are consistent members of the Methodist church at City Island."Source: "THE FAMILY OF FORDHAM" in Pelletreau, William S., Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. II, pp. 393-401 (NY, NY: 1907; Reprinted for Clearfield Company, Inc. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD: 1998) (Note: Paid subscription required to access via these links).

"346At a Surrogate's Court held in and for the County of West Chester at the Surrogate's office in White Plains on the 4th day of September A D 1845Present Frederick J. Coffin, SurrogateIn the Matter of proving the (last Will and Testament of (Orrin Fordham, deceased ( West Chester County, SS: -- Be it Remembered that heretofore upon due application for that purpose to the Surrogate of said County a Citation was duly issued in this matter which Citation with the proof of service thereof was thereafter duly returned to said Surrogate and which said Citation and the proof of service thereof were produced as follows to witThe People of the State of New York. By the Grace of God free and Independent. To Levina Elizabeth Fordham of the Town of Pelham in the County of West Chester and State of New York and Lewis C. Platt Guardian ad litem of Mary Rebecca Fordham, Sarah Elizabeth Fordham, Orrin Frederick Fordham and John Oscar Fordham Minors under the age of twenty one years. Send Greeting Whereas Drake Wilson Billar of the Town of Pelham has lately applied to our Surrogate of the County of West Chester to have a certain Instrument in writing bearing date the 30th day of July 1845 purporting to dispose of both real and personal Estate duly proved as the last Will and Testament of Orrin Fordham late of the Town of Pelham aforesaid deceased, in pursuance of the Statute in such case made and provided. You and each of you are Cited and required personally to be and appear before our said Surrogate at his office in the Town of White Plains in the said County on the 17th day of September inst' at on o'clock in the afternoon of that day then and there to attend to the probate of said last Will and Testament.In Testimony Whereof we have caused the seal of office of our our [sic] said Surrogate of the County of West Chester to be hereunto affixedWitness Frederick J. Coffin, Surrogate of said County at the Town of White Plains the 4th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five and of our Independence the seventiethFred'k J. Coffin, Surrogate"

"347I do hereby admit due service of the within Citation Dated 4th September, 1845Witness F. J. ( Levina Elizabeth FordhamCoffin, Surrogate ( I do hereby admit due service of the within Citation upon me as Guardian for the Minors within named Dated 4th September, 1845Witness PresentFred'k J. Coffin ( Lewis C. PlattSurrogate (And thereupon the last Will and Testament of the said Orrin Fordham deceased and the proofs thereof were produced as follows to witKnow all men by these Presents that I Orrin Fordham of ( City Island in the Town of Pelham County of West Chester and State of New York do make this my last Will and TestamentIt is my wish and disire [sic] to give and bequeath to my wife Levina Elizabeth Fordham the whole of my real and personal Estate in trust for my children now living or such as may be borned [sic] in eight months from this time to be applied for the support and education of the said above mentioned children equally providing my wife the person above named does remain my widow if not it is my wish that the herein after named Drake Willard Billar shall be the acting Administrator alone and I do hereby empower him to act as such as the law does provide in such cases, in case my wife the person above named does remain my widow until the youngest child becomes of age it is my wish that she my said wife and my Brother in Law Drake Willard Billard the the [sic] person above named shall by my Administrators with power to act as such jointly and to do such things as the law requires and the necisities [sic] of my family demands [sic]In Witness Whereof I do set my hand and seal this thirtyeth [sic] day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty fiveIn presence ofJoseph B. Horton ( Orrin Fordham (L. S.)Abram Coockrue ( "

"348West Chester County (State of New York ( SS:--In the presence of me the said Orrin Fordham the person known by me to be the one mentioned in this Indenture and to the best of my judgment to be in a sound state of mind and fully competent of making a Will acknowledge to be in a sound state of mind and fully competent of making a Will acknowledge to me that this is his last Will and Testament and wishes it to go in force as it is drafted and expressed in said Indenture if necessaryAcknowledged before me this thirtyeth [sic] day of July at City Island in the Town of Pelham County of West Chester and State of New York in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty fiveJames HinmanJustice PeaceWest Chester County, SS: -- Levina Elizabeth Fordham of the Town of Pelham in the said County of West Chester being duly sworn doth depose and say that she is the Widow of Orrin Fordham late of the said Town of Pelham dec'd that the Instrument now shown to the deponent by the Surrogate of the County of West Chester purporting to be the last Will and Testament of her deceased husband was executed by her said husband in her presence that after her said husban had executed the same he delivered it to this deponent for safe keeping that this deponent locked the same up in a trunk and that the same has there remained until this morning when this deponent unlocked the trunk and took the said Instrument therefrom and delivered the same to her Brother Drake Wilson Billar named therein that the said Instrument is in the same state and condition it was in when received by her from her husband as above state in now wise alteredSworn this 4th day of (September 1845 before me ( Levina Elizabeth FordhamFrederick J. Coffin Surrogate (West Chester County, SS: --Drake Wilson Billar being duly sworn deposeth and saith that on the 4th day of September instant he received the Instrument now presented to him by the Surrogate of the County of West Chester purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Orrin Fordham late of Pelham in said County deceased from his Sister Levina Elizabeth Fordham that he delivered the said Instrument to the said Surrogate for probate having received the same for that purpose of being presented to the said Surrogate for probate that the said Instrument is in the same state and condition it was in when received by him of his said Sister in no wise alteredSworn this 4th September 1845 before ( Drake Wilson X Billar his markFred'k J. Coffin, Surrogate ( "

"349In the Matter of proving the (last Will and Testament of (Orrin Fordham deceased (West Chester County, SS: -- Be it Remembered that on this 17th day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty five before Frederick J. Coffin Surrogate of the said County personally appeared Abraham Coockrue who being by the said Surrogate duly sworn and examined doth depose and say that this deponent was well acquainted with Orrin Fordham deceased that he was present as a witness and did see the said Orrin Fordham deceased subscribe at the end thereof the Instrument now produced and shown to the deponent purporting to be the last Will and Testament of the said Orrin Fordham deceased bearing the date the 30th day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty five; that such subscription was made by the said Testator in the presence of this deponent that the said Testator at the same time declared the Instrument so subscribed by him to be last Will and Testament. Whereupon this deponent signed his name at the end thereof at the request of the said Testator in the presence of the said Testator and in the presence of the other Subscribing witness and that the said Testator at the time of Executing and publishing the said last Will and Testament was of full age of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint.Sworn this 17th day of September (1845 before me Frederick J. Coffin ( Abram CoockrueSurrogate (West Chester County, SS: -- Be it Remembered that on this 17th day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty five before Frederick J. Coffin Surrogate of the said County personally appeared Joseph B. Horton who being by the said Surrogate duly sworn and examined doth depose and say that this deponent was well acquainted with Orrin Fordham deceased subscribe at the end thereof the Instrument now produced and shown to the deponent purporting to be the last Will and Testament of the said Orrin Fordham deceased being date the 30th day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty five that such subscription was made by said Testator in the presence of this deponent that the said Testator at the same time declared the Instrument so subscribed by him to be his last Will and Testament whereupon this deponent signed his name at the end thereof at the request of the said Testator in the presence of the said Testator and in the presence of the other subscribing witness and that the said Testator at the time of Executing and publishing the said Will and Testament was of full age of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint"

"350Sworn this 17th day of September 1845 (before me Frederick J. Coffin, Surrogate, ( Joseph B. HortonWest Chester County (Surrogate's Court (Recorded the procedding [sic] last Will and Testament of Orrin Fordham deceased as a Will of Real and Personal Estate duly proved together with the proofs examinations and other proceedings taken and had in the Court of the Surrogate of West Chester relating to the proving of said last Will and Testament which Record is hereby signed and Certified by me pursuant to the provisions of the Revised Statutes the 17th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five and of our Independence the seventieth.Fred'k J. Coffin, Surrogate"Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

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About Me

Blake A. Bell is Town Historian and a member of the Town Council of Pelham, NY in Westchester County. He is a member of the Boards of Trustees of the Westchester County Historical Society (past member of the Executive Committee), and the Society of the National Shrine of the Bill of Rights at Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site (Chair). He served as the editor and publisher of the award-winning HistoricPelham.com Web site. He is the author of two books regarding the history of Pelham: (1) "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak" (iUniverse 2004); and (2) Town of Pelham's 350th Anniversary Celebration: Historian Blake Bell's Articles Published in The Pelham Weekly Plus Photos of Key Events (Pelham Weekly 2006). In addition, he is the author of more than 80 published articles on Pelham history and is a frequent speaker on matters relating to the history of Pelham and surrounding areas. Mr. Bell is Senior Knowledge Management Counsel with 850-lawyer Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York City.